THE first Irish man to win the Airtricity Dublin Marathon in 20 years immediately hugged his delighted family waiting at the finishing line.

Primary school teacher Sean Hehir (28), from Kilkishen, Co Clare, landed the race in 2:18:19 on a cold St Jude's day, holding off the advances of 6ft 2in Joe Sweeney who finished in his wake.

Sean's mother Cushla Murphy-Hehir told how she had not been able to sleep the night before the race due to her nerves.

Her son was taken to the elite massage tent to try and recover from the gruelling 26.2 miles trek across the city.

"He has trained very very hard," said the proud mother, who was also a runner alongside John Treacy in the '80s.

"He has trained twice a day - 6.30am and 6.30pm. He did altitude for three weeks in the summer. This is his second ever marathon he was second of the Irish last year," said Mrs Murphy-Hehir.

The Dublin-based primary schoolteacher won after a fantastic two-man tussle with Dundrum South Dublin's Joe Sweeney.

The two slogged it out in a fascinating duel for most of the race.They went through half-way together in 68 minutes and 25 seconds, which left them headed for a sub-2:18 run but the second half took its toll on both of them.

28/10/2013. Pictured at Fitzwilliam Square participants of a 14,500 strong crowd take on the Airtricity Dublin Marathon. Photo: El Keegan28/10/2013. Pictured is Lynn Ruan from Tallaght after she crossed the finish line at the Airtricity Dublin Marathon. She ran with a photo of her father John who passed away from Parkinsons. Photo: El Keegan28/10/2013. Pictured is Claire O'Dwyer from Bray Garda Station after she crossed the finish line at the Airtricity Dublin Marathon. Photo: El KeeganCraig McKechnie at the finish28/10/2013. Pictured is Lisa Digger after she crossed the finish line at the Airtricity Dublin Marathon. Photo: El Keegan28/10/2013. Pictured is Kevin Gallagher from Warrenpoint after he crossed the finish line at the Airtricity Dublin Marathon. He ran Photo: El Keegan28/10/2013. Pictured is Larry Rigney from Geashill after he crossed the finish line at the Airtricity Dublin Marathon. Photo: El Keegan28/10/2013. Pictured is cancer survivor John Quigley after he crossed the finish line at the Airtricity Dublin Marathon. Photo: El Keegan28/10/2013. Pictured is Paul Harris, after he crossed the finish line. Paul lost his 2 year old daughter to a bacterial infection, he ran the Dublin Marathon holding his daughter's soother and raised a substantial sum of money for the NSPCC. Photo: El Keegan28/10/2013. Pictured are Damien McFadden and his son Sean, 2 after he crossed the finish line at the Airtricity Dublin Marathon. Photo: El Keegan28/10/2013. Pictured are (LtoR) Vicki Neeson, Roisin Keonn, Deborah Neeson and Eoin, 14mths, from co. Down cheering on Eoin's Daddy as he passes the last mile on Grand Canal street at the Airtricity Dublin Marathon. Photo: El Keegan28/10/2013. PIctured are Robert and Charlie Costello (15mths) coming to the last mile on Grand Canal street participants of a 14,500 strong crowd take on the Airtricity Dublin Marathon. Photo: El Keegan28/10/2013. Pictured the Glynn family John, Gavin, 3 and Conor 7 cheer on the athletes coming to the last mile on Grand Canal street who are running for little Gavin who is a patient of St John's Ward in Crumlin Hospital. 25 runners competed to raise funds for 'Superglynn' at the Airtricity Dublin Marathon. Photo: El Keegan28/10/2013. Pictured is Sean McShane, from Belfast face his last mile on Grand Canal Street sporting an early Halloween costume at the Airtricity Dublin Marathon. Photo: El Keegan28/10/2013. Pictured is Don Travers, Newry, co Down after he crossed the finish line at the Airtricity Dublin Marathon. Photo: El Keegan28/10/2013. Pictured Maria McCambridge, who took first place is greeted by her husband Gary Crossan who crossed the finish line shortly after his wife at the Airtricity Dublin Marathon this bank holiday Monday. Photo: El Keegan28/10/2013. Pictured Cedric Schramm from Sarreguemines, France takes a bow before he crossed the finish line at the Airtricity Dublin Marathon. Photo: El Keegan28/10/2013. Pictured at Fitzwilliam Square is 'The Chief' James Hemsphey one of a 14,500 strong crowd take on the Airtricity Dublin Marathon. Photo: El Keegan28/10/2013. Pictured Benmessaoud Yamin and Brianan McBride from Dundalk start strong at Fitzwilliam Square at the Airtricity Dublin Marathon.Photo: El Keegan28/10/2013. Pictured is Linda Maher from Rathfarmham who kicked off the Airtricity Dublin Marathon with a kick in her step at Fitzwilliam Square. Photo: El Keegan28/10/2013 Winner of The dublin City Marathon Sean O Hehir from Rathfarnam WSAF is congratulated by his mother Cushla Murphy- Hehir during the Airtricity Marathon 2013 on Merrion Square , Dublin. Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins28/10/2013 Winner of the Womens Dublin city marathon Maria McCambridge during the Airtricity Marathon 2013 in Merrion Square , Dublin. Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins28/10/2013 Cedric Schramm takes a bow during the Airtricity Marathon 2013 on Merrion Square , Dublin. Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins28/10/2013 Winner of the Womens Dublin city marathon Maria McCambridge is congratulated husband Gary Crossan during the Airtricity Marathon 2013 on Merrion Square , Dublin. Photo: Gareth Chaney CollinsRunners at the start of the 38th Airtricity Dublin Marathon in Dublin, Ireland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday October 28, 2013. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire.Runners at the start of the 38th Airtricity Dublin Marathon in Dublin, Ireland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday October 28, 2013. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire.Runners in fancy dress start the 38th Airtricity Dublin Marathon in Dublin, Ireland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday October 28, 2013. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire.Runners in fancy dress at the start of the 34th Airtricity Dublin Marathon in Dublin, Ireland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday October 28, 2013. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire.Mens winner Sean Hehir crosses the finish line of the 34th Airtricity Dublin Marathon in Dublin, Ireland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday October 28, 2013. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire.Women's winner Maria McCambridge with her husband Gary Crossan after crossing the finish line of the 34th Airtricity Dublin Marathon in Dublin, Ireland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday October 28, 2013. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire.Womens winner Maria McCambridge crosses the finish line of the 34th Airtricity Dublin Marathon in Dublin, Ireland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday October 28, 2013. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire.Womens winner Maria McCambridge crosses the finish line of the 34th Airtricity Dublin Marathon in Dublin, Ireland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday October 28, 2013. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire.Mens winner Sean Hehir crosses the finish line of the 34th Airtricity Dublin Marathon in Dublin, Ireland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday October 28, 2013. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire.Mens winner Sean Hehir crosses the finish line of the 34th Airtricity Dublin Marathon in Dublin, Ireland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday October 28, 2013. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire.Runners during the 34th Airtricity Dublin Marathon in Dublin, Ireland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday October 28, 2013. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire.Runners in fancy dress during the 34th Dublin Marathon today PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday October 28, 2013. See PA story Stand alone Marathon. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA WireRunners in fancy dress at the start of the 34th Airtricity Dublin Marathon in Dublin, Ireland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday October 28, 2013. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire.Runners at the start of the 34th Airtricity Dublin Marathon in Dublin, Ireland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday October 28, 2013. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire.Belfast Runner Colin Draine starts the 34th Airtricity Dublin Marathon in Dublin, Ireland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday October 28, 2013. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire.Participants at the start of the Airtricity Dublin Marathon 2013Astronaut Commander Chris Hadfield tweeted this message "Thanks to Donal Troddyn for helping me run my first ever Dublin Marathon!" after seeing this picture from the Dublin MarathonParticipants make their way past Trinity CollegeParticipants during the Airtricity Dublin MarathonKerry footballer Colm Cooper hands out a bottle of Lucozade Sport to Declan O'Flaherty from AthloneJacqui Dunphy, left, Glasnevin, Dublin and Alison O' Sullivan, Drumcondra, Dublin, members of Clonliffe Harriers ACParticipants David Neale, left, and Lee Mulvihilll both from BallsbridgeFrom left, Xavier Ducros, William Pinet Sylva Bercegeau and Fabrice Aupetid all from Nantes, FranceWinner of The Dublin City Marathon, Sean O Hehir, from Rathfarnam WSAF, is congratulated by his mother Cushla Murphy-HehirPictured are, from left, Eoin (14 months) and his Mum Deborah Neeson from Co Down cheering on Eoin's father as he passes the last mile on Grand Canal StreetRobert and Charlie Costello (15 months) coming to the last mile on Grand Canal StreetA general view of competitors in action during the Dublin MarathonEventual winner Sean Hehir from InchicoreEmma Corbett and Noel McGrathParticipants during the Airtricity Dublin MarathonJason Kennedy of Independent.ie is proud of his medal at the finish lineParticipants pass through KilmainhamRichard Dornan from DublinParticipants make their way on to Westmoreland Street past the Bank of IrelandJames Hemphsey, from Clondalkin, DublinParticipants make their way along O'Connell Street past the GPOParticipants make their way along Westmoreland StreetParticipants make their way along Westmoreland StreetA general view of the start of the Airtricity Dublin Marathon 2013Mark Lacey, from Clondalkin, DublinParticipants make their way across O'Connell BridgeParticipants during the Airtricity Dublin MarathonParticipants make their way across O'Connell BridgeSean Hehir, Rathfarnham WSAF AC, Dublin, crosses the line to become the first Irishman to win the event in 20 yearsWomen's race winner Maria McCambridge celebrates with her husband Gary Crossan after they both finished the Dublin MarathonMaria McCambridge, Dundrum South Dublin ACLisa Donohoe from SwordsParticipants, from left, Diarmuid Lynch and Ciaran Sweeney from Galway

They've been side-by-side for the first half of the race but, at mile 14 debutant Sweeney looked the stronger when he made a decisive move to open up a quick nine second-gap by throwing in a quick 5.08 mile.

But Hehir caught up with him and made his own big move in the 20th mile through Clonskeagh, pulling clear going up Milltown Hill and never looking back.

It was still a great marathon debut for Sweeney, who finished less than a minute adrift in 2:19.26 and long-time Irish resident and Moldovan international Sergio Ciobanu (Clonliffe) was third in 2:22:02.

Sweeney's DSD clubmate Maria McCambridge was the big women's pre-race favourite and led through half-way in 79 minutes and 25 seconds but Cork's Claire McCarthy-Gibbons (Leevale) overtook her in the 18th mile and the two women had a fantastic tussle over the final six miles.

Defending Irish champion McCambridge somehow managed to battle back and retained her title in 2:38.51, with McCarthy second in 2:39.27 and Tullamore Olympian Pauline Curley was third in 2:42.58.

Earlier,hopes were high that an Irish runner might be first person past the finishing post at Merrion Square North for the first time in 20-years.

Earlier this year, in the absence of a headline sponsor, Dublin organisers were forced to cut the elite race fund, which meant the usual invitations were not issued to some of the East African runners who have dominated in recent years.

Race organiser Jim Aughney revealed people had still travelled from far and wide to take part in the race, with runners from 47 countries taking part.

Mr Aughney told how the popular race had attracted around 2,000 from the UK, around 500 from the US and a group of 12 over for the first time from the Philippines.

In addition, he told how hundreds of thousands of euro would be raised for their two chosen charities Temple Street and Focus Ireland, with many other runners picking their own personal worthy causes.

"We were sweating for the last couple of days," he said, adding it had been a "serious" day as they tried to erect the marques and signs.

More than 10,000 Irish people took part in the 26.2 mile race and a further 4,000 representing around 47 different nationalities travelled to the country.

Welsh National Champion Alun Evans was the only elite international male runner to participate.

Members of An Garda Siochana and the Police Service of Northern Ireland joined forces for the fifth year running and took part under the Garda Athletics Club vest.

The officers, who raised funds for different causes close to them, were cheered on by the Garda Band and the Assistant Commissioner for the Dublin Metropolitan Region.